Meritage acquires pair of franchised portfolios and opens two more stores.

Meritage Hospitality Group, a Michigan-based restaurant operator and Wendy's franchisee, has expanded its system by acquiring a total of 19 restaurants and opening 1 other. Meritage purchased two Wendy's franchised portfolios consisting of nine Wendy's restaurants in Atlanta and ten Wendy's restaurants in Richmond, Va. The company also opened a Wendy's restaurant in Jacksonville, Fla., marking its 111th location in operation.

Meritage plans to implement major capital improvements in its acquired Wendy's locations, including back-of-house operating and accounting systems, image activation and other key brand initiatives designed to contemporize both the interior and exterior guest experience, according to a company release.

Meritage operates restaurants in six states including: Georgia, Michigan, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.